10 Lamest WWE Returns

1. Batista (Raw - 20 January 2014)

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As overlong and overwrought as his match with Triple H may have been, it was nice to see Batista leave wrestling on his own terms at WrestleMania 35. This was an itch the likeable Guardians of the Galaxy man had wanted to scratch for a long time. Finally, with the aid of his old pal, 'The Animal' was allowed to ride off into the sunset, having (hopefully) expelled all memories of his failed 2014 run.

Batista's 2013/14 comeback is the lamest in WWE history primarily because of what went down at the Royal Rumble. That almighty sh*tshow of a night concluded with Batista celebrating what was supposed to be a triumphant babyface victory to choruses of jeers, minutes after poor Rey Mysterio had been booed out of the building at number 30. In the fans' eyes, that moment belonged to Daniel Bryan, not Batista, and nothing else would be accepted.

The wheels came off Batista's comeback in spectacular fashion. Poisoned crowd reactions forced WWE to turn the big fella heel after a stinker of a bout with Alberto Del Rio at Elimination Chamber, and while the company and performer squeezed extra life out of the run after the alignment switch, the period prior to that was the dimmest of Dave's career.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.